Bumper



M. KAHN BUMPER D@ m, w35o Filed March 5, 1934 Ewen/off WZMCZQLJ//UQ l Patented Dec. 10, 1935 PATENT OFFICE BUMPER MandelKahn, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Harry H. Kahn, Wilmette, Ill.

Application-March 5, 1934, Serial No. 714,048

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to bumpers for doorsand the like,- and especially for automobile doors, but useful elsewhere. It also-relates to a door jamb construction which is cooperative with the socket to provide projecting rubber in the path of the door. Various types of sockets, mounting means and rubber blocks are in use or are described for this general purpose; A disadvantage of such construction is the solidity of the rubber and a resulting stiffness in the resiliency. The blocks are nearly all solid forms and the major part within the socket together with the part outside of the socket act as a resilient unit. Where doors are out of line or are sprung, it frequently happens that one part of the block first receives the force of the door, and in further functioning is so overcompressed that it soon becomes permanently and locally injured or scarred, with deformation of the block. In such devices the shock-receiving part is the end of a block, the inward extension of which part receives the shock.

'I'he present invention aims to correct these defects and to simplify and to improve .upon the construction ofthe door post and of the resilient unit. The present invention infitspreferred form aims to exert the bumping force directly upon the outside of the door jamb, rather than upon the interior of a socket in the door jamb. The preferred bumping unit of the present invention may be used with door jambs already provided withV a socket by the use of a bridge-member to cover the socket opening. It may also be used with door jambs which may be constructed without reference to the future mounting of a bumper. By certain simple expedients for mounting the bumper, as by drilling holes, the preferred bumping constructionmay be attained.

Reference is made to my copending application Serial No. 670,637, filed May l2, 1933, of which this application is a continuation-in-part, and to its continuation-impart Serial No. 714,049, iiled March 5, 1934.

In is an object ofthe present invention to exercise the resiliency in an open space behind the buffer p-art, which space is partly occupied by resilient means.

It is another object ofthe present invention to distribute the resiliency to a series of resilient elements.

It is still another object of the invention to use a flexible buffer part which may iiex in accommodating its bumping surface to the striking member, and thereby more readily receive or distribute the bumpingb force. 5

It is a further object of the invention to use oneor several resilient means as the mounting. or carrier for the buffer part.

Another object of the invention is the provi;- sion" of a unit wherein the resiliency may occur l0 outside of the door jamb or fixed body upon which the bumping unit is mounted;

Still another and more specic object is the use of an integralfrubber unit in which a pluralityv of rubber resilientv cushions exert the cushioning ac- 15 tion.

Still another ob-ject of the invention is the reinforcement of the rubber cushions by resilient metal parts.

A more directV object of the inventionis the pro- 20 vision of a unit with resilient means having direct pressure contact on the jamb of the fixed. body which carries the unit.

Various other and ancillary objects andadvantages of the invention Will=be apparentr from the 25 following description and explanation ofthe invention as itis illustrated by the several embodiments shown in the accompanying drawing. in which:

Fig. 1 represents a door post of an automobile 30 with an improved ,andv simpliiied' construction with holes adapted for mounting upon the outside of the post, the preferred forms'ofthe invention.

Fig. 2 represents a door post with a large opening as used in the prior art, which may be adapt- 35 ed for use of the preferred forms of the present invention.

Fig. S'represents a bridge-plate which may be used to bridge the socket opening of the post on Fig. 2,' as shown in'Fig. 9.

Fig. 4 is a view in longitudinal'cross-section on a line 4 4 passing through the holes shown in Fig. 1, and shows in cross-section, also on line 4-4 of Fig. 5, a bumper unit mountedonthe post of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a` vertical .elevation looking to the left toward the device as shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section. on line 6 6' of Fig, 5.

Fig. 7 is a modified form of mounting plugfas it.` is used on a door post like that shown in Fig. 1. 50

Fig. 8 is the same modified form of mounting plug as shown in Fig. 7, as it is used on a door post of Fig. 1? having a filler...

Fig; 9x is another modified form ofk mounting extension more particularly used for the type 0F55 post of Fig. 2 when bridged by the plate of Fig. 3. Fig. is a form of bumper having mcdied resilient cushions embodying a `coiled metal spring embedded in rubber.

Fig. 11 is a bumper showing the modified mounting means of Fig. 9, and a modified resilient element consisting of a coiled spring.

It is of course to be understood that variousV changes may be made in details and in combinations of parts, and that the drawing merely is illustrative ofthe principles involved. Numerous changes and other constructions are contemplated as falling Within the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

The preferred form of the present invention is made with the intention of eliminating the work and expense of forming a socket in the door post which practically all manufacturers of automobiles now provide for bumpers. By avoidingsocket formation a stronger post is permitted, and this is of great importance whererlighterweight metals are being utilized in the modern trend. The preferred bumper unit functions by exerting pressure directly onto the post. Hence it may be merely cemented to the surface of the Y post, but I prefer more positive anchorage. A

buffer part is supported, and through which it exerts pressure upon the door post or other mounting. A specific feature of the invention is the use of a somewhat flexible shock-receiving part which can be flexed and deformed to accommodate itself in form and position to the surface of the striking door. Still another feature of the invention is the provision of an open space between the door post, or other mounting body, and the buffer-part, across which space the bumper-part moves, and in a portion of which space lies the resilient means.

The resilient means of the present invention may be rubber, or may be spring metal, or may be both. In my copending application U. S.

vSerial No. 670,637, filed May 12, 1933, Yof which this application is a continuation in part, I have shown both rubber and spring metal, using a coiled compression spring, and also therein I have used the spring in combination with the rubber, and the spring embedded in the rubber.

Where I use rubber composition as the resilient means I provide a construction which permits the rubber to expand generally in a plane direction perpendicular to the bumping force. It is well known that rubber is relatively noncompressible when fully confined, and that its resilience is due to elasticity in displacement. For example, when a short column of rubber is compressed endwise, it shortens in the direction of the force, but expands circumferentially. In the present invention, where rubber is so used, the space between the mounting body and the buffer part is such as to receive the major portion of the expanding rubber of one or more compressible columns of rubber. The preferred arrangement further is such that the buffer part is not primarily the active resilient member, but, being flexible, it distributes the pressure exerted upon Y In Fig. l there is shown a door post IIJ having jamb surfaces II and I2. It is toward the jamb I2 that the door swings. In the door jamb I2 two drilled holes I3 and I4 are, shown which are designed to be used in any suitable manner of mounting the bumper unit onto the door post. For many reasons the preferred mounting is by means of plugs, desirably of resilient rubber, entering said holes for suitable security therein. In some posts the interior is hollow, as shown in Fig. 1. But in other posts there may be a wood filler, and in such a case it is calculated that the drilled holes I3 and I4 extend also into the wood ller. The mounting construction used for the holes I3 and I4 may be modified, as hereinafter shown for use specially with each type of post construction, and some forms may be used with both types of construction.

In Fig. 2, I show another type of post I5 which may be found in existing automobiles with an opening I 6 in the jamb face I'I, providing edges I8 and I9, which edges may be utilized much as the outer edges of the holes I3 and I4 of Fig. 1. The opening I6 in Fig. 2 may be found in many door posts originally formed in this way to receive a bumper block, as described in the prior art. The present invention may be used in connection with the post of Fig. 2, so as to function the same as for a post as in Fig. 1, providing a rigid bridge member to span the opening I5 as Y.

will hereinafter be described. Such a plate is designated by numeral in Fig. 3, and is merely representative of a bridge upon which the bumping force may be exerted. Its size and form may be varied as circumstances may dictate, and it may be made in any form suitable to cover any opening in a post, either of the kind as shown in Fig. 2 or of other kinds known to the trade. Where a bridge-plate is used over an opening, it is herein considered tc be a part of the door post, irrespective of how it may be held in bridging position.

In Fig. 4 there is shown a bumper unit having shock-receiving part 25, which may be rigid, but which is preferably flexible and preferably of flexible rubber composition. `The unit is shown in its mounted relation to the post of Fig. 1, in which there is no wood or other solid filler. The holes I3 and I4 (Fig. 1), in the absence of filler, provide shoulders 23 and 21 over which the unit may be fastened; A space 28 is arranged for between the door jamb I2 and the buffer part 25. Across a portion of this space I place resilient means through the agency of which the jamb I2 and the buffer part are connected for supporting the part 2E. The resilient means is preferably divded into a plurality of elements designated 29, 30, 3I, 32 and 33. Two of these in the present instance, preferably the end ones 29 and 33, are those used as the supports or carriers. For this purpose they are connected to the jamb I2 and to the buffer part 25. The connection to the buffer part is herein shown in the integral construction of resilient rubber composition. By reason of using this form of construction the remaining elements 30, 3| and 32 are also integral with the buffer part I2. All of the resilient elements have flat bottoms adapted to rest upon the fiat jamb face I2 to exert directly thereon the bumping force. These elements are in effect columns of rubber which expand laterally into the space 28.

'Ihe means for mounting the unit to the jamb may be varied, and several suitable forms are shown. In Fig. 4 the supporting columns or reslient elements 29 and 33 cover the holes I3 and Iii (Fig. l), and are provided with plugs, or studs 34 and 35, preferably also of integral rubber construction, to extend through the holes. The plugs at the ends are adapted to act as detent means catching over the shoulders 26 and 21 respectively. Several forms of detent action are illustrated. In Fig. 4 enlarged heads 31 and 38 are formed on the end of the plugs 34 and 35, respectively. These are so constructed that they may be forced through the holes I3 and I4 to provide the detent action. The drawing is representative of the general character, and may appear exaggerated for the purpose of illustration.

In Fig. 1 a modified form oi" mounting is shown. The unit may be otherwise like that in Fig. 4, with buier part 4B, and resilient columns 4I and The plug is modified, and is made long, and is larger in cross-section than the hole I3 into which it is to t. It is best represented in the dotted line position e3, but this is not its normal size. It represents a stretched or elongated form of sufficient extent to reduce its cross-section so that it will pass readily into and through hole I3. In order to effect stretching it from the outside (mounted position) a small channel i4 is provided into which a suiliciently small rod 45 may be temporarily inserted to engage the bottom it of the channel for clon-gating the plug. When the plug is then inserted in the hole as far as the column il will permit, the rod @i5 is withdrawn, and the plug shortens and expands. Its form then provides an enlarged retaining head 41 and a constricted part i8 tightly binding in the hole I3.

In Fig. 8 the same integral form of Fig. '1 is shown as it is mounted in a post wherein the metal sheet is backed by solid filler 5I, as of wood. Hole 52 is drilled through plate 5D and Well into the solid ller 5I. The bumper unit has buffer part E3, and resilient column 56, with the plug 55, and channel 55 for rod 51. The plug 55 is elongated until it nts easily into the hole in placing the bumper unit. Then the rod 51 is withdrawn, and the plug expands into holding contact. If desired, a portion of the solid ller 5I may be removed to secure the effect described with reference to Fig. '1.

In Fig. 9 a cross-section is shown involving a mounting of a unit on post i5 (Fig. 2) with bridgeplate 2li (Fig. 3). Plate 2B is formed to bridge over the edges I 8 and I S. Holes SII and 6I are formed with the outer edges 62 and S3 coincident with edges I3 and I9. The holes may be round, and used as in Fig. 4, but because of the oifset position of plate t@ and the metal of the door jamb I5 a further modication is useful. Holes 5l) and 6I are vertically elongated, and are rectangular.

The bumper unit has the flexible buier part 64, and the integral resilient columns 65, 66, 61 and 68, each adapted to push on plate 2e, which is of course considered as a part of the post. End columns S5 and 68 extend further backward through holes @El and SI with integral extensions. The extensions have a rectangular cross-section at 69 of less aiea than holes 3S and 6I so that the unit may be bowed outwardly by pressure on its ends, thus to bring columns 65 and 61 away from plate 2li, and to move plugs GS toward each other. The ends of the plugs have retaining heads 1i! adapted to engage the rear side of jamb plate I6 when the buffer unit is unflexed and in normal position as shown. By this means, the buffer unit with its integral plugs serves not only to mount itself but also to mount the bridge-plate 2Q against Which the bumper presses in bumping action.

Although I have shown and prefer to have a bumper unit composed of integral rubber composition with resilient rubber columns as the 5 resilient means, I do not limit the invention to this form. In some forms the buifer parts may be or" hard rubber integral with resilient rubber of the columns. Also I may use spring metal as the resilient means, or may embed coiled com- 10 pression springs in the rubber columns. n

In Fig. l0 there is shown a modified form having a flexible buffer-part 15, integral end columns of resilient rubber, with mounting plugs 11 and rod channels 18, and with intervening re- 15 silient columns 19 and 8i). lIhese columns consist of an annulus SI of rubber integral with the buifer part and a coiled spring 82 embedded in the annulus and extending into the buffer part.

In Fig. 11 there is another modi-ned form hav- 2o ing a flexible buier part 85, end columns of integral resilient rubber 86, with mounting extensions 81, resilient columns 88 and 89 in the form of coiled springs with one end embedded in the butler part 85.

Various other changes and modifications are contemplated and the invention is therefore not to be considered as limited to or by the description and the exemplary embodiments herein adopted to illustrate the nature of the invention. In the appended claims I aim to set forth broadly the invention as herein described, and as it is embodied in other devices more specically set forth in my copending applications above referred to. The present invention as herein embodied is con- 3 sidered specific in the sense that the unit utililizes the door jamb itself, or some separable part, as the pressure resisting body against which the resilient means functions. The copending applications are considered specific in the sense that 4Q the units thereof utilize a more or less rigid part of the unit for the same purpose, and for the purpose of mounting the unit. The present invention is considered generic to these speoic forms in providing a unit having a buier part spaced away from a resisting member by means which carry the buifer part and which permit it to move resiliently into said space and toward the resisting member. Broadly considered the invention provides a bumper in which the essential parts, either standing alone, or united toA mounting means, has a comb-like structure, in which the teeth elements are compressible resilient elements, through one or more of which the back-ridge of the comb is carried, and in which the back-ridge may be rigid or flexible in the plane of the comb.

I claim:

1. A bumper for automobile doors and the like comprising in combination a buffer part adapted in use to be spaced away from a door jamb or other fixed body by an open space when mounted in the path of a striking door or other object, spaced resilient compressible means secured to said buffer part and adapted to carry and provide the sole support for said buffer part, said means being positioned in said open space and arranged resiliently to resist motion of said buffer part into said space, said resilient means having exposed ends for pressure contact upon said xed body, and means secured to and extending from said exposed ends and adapted to enter said fixed body for mounting the bumper.

2. An integral rubber composition bumper unit comprising a buier part, a series of spaced re- '(5 silient rubber columns on one side of said buffer part with exposed ends adapted for pressure contact when the unit is mounted for use on a fixed body with said columns positioned in an open space between said body and said buffer part as the sole support for the buffer part, and integral extensions from a limited portion of the exposed ends of a plurality of said columns adapted to enter the fixed body for mounting the unit.

3. A bumper1 construction comprising in combination a xed body towards which a striking object is movable, said body presenting a jamb surface having a recess, and a buffer unit pressing on said jamb surface and mounted uponsaid body, said unit comprising in combination mounting means entering said recess and secured therein, a resilient column carried by said mounting means and having at one end pressure contact upon said jamb surface, a buffer part secured to the other end of said resilient column and carried thereby with an open space between said buffer part and said fixed body, and other resilient columns positioned between said bufferv part and said fixed body for resiliently resisting motion of said buffer part toward said body, said columns being the sole support between the jamb surface and the buffer part.

4. A bumper construction comprising in combination a fixed body towards which a striking object is movable, said body presenting a jamb surface having a recess, and a buffer unit pressing on said jamb surface and mounted upon said body, said unit comprising in combination mounting means entering said recess and secured therein, a resilient column Carried by said mounting means and having at one end pressure contact upon said jamb surface, a buffer part secured t the other end of said resilient column and carried thereby with an open space between said buffer part and said fixed body, and other resilient columns positioned in said space and secured at one end to said buffer part and at the other end having pressure contact with said jamb surface.

5. A bumper construction comprising in combinaton a fixed body towards which a striking object is movable, said body presenting a jamb surface having a recess, and a buffer unit pressing on said jamb surface and mounted upon said body, said unit comprising in combination mounting means entering said recess and secured therein, a resilient column carried by said mounting means and having at one end pressure contact upon said jamb surface, a flexible buffer part secured to the other end of said resilient column and carried thereby with an open space between said buffer part and said fixed body, and other resilient columns positioned in said space and secured at one end to said buffer part and at the other end having pressure contact with said jamb surface.

6. A bumper construction comprising a fixed body towards which a striking object is movable, said body presenting a surface with a hole therein, a buffer part spaced away from said surface, compressible columns between said surface and said buffer part, one of said columns being united to the buffer part, being set over said hole, and having an extension therefrom mounted in said hole.

MANDEL KAI-IN. 

